Article transfer and processing assembly

Abstract: An article transfer and processing assembly comprises a rotatable scroll device (13) for individually transferring articles to be processed, such as canisters containing liquid material, to an article processing station, such as a weighing station (25). The rotatable scroll device (13) is formed about its periphery with a groove (15) which is profiled so as to define a first groove portion (15a) for receiving an article to be transferred, a second groove portion (15b) communicating with the first groove portion for progressively increasing the transfer speed of the article to a predetermined speed, a third groove portion (15c) communicating with the second groove portion for conveying the article at the predetermined speed, and a fourth groove portion (15d) communicating with the third groove portion for permitting the article to decelerate onto the processing station (25) under frictional forces, the maximum rate of deceleration being determined by the profile of the fourth groove portion (15d).

Description: The present invention relates to an article transfer and processing assembly which incorporates a rotating scroll transfer mechanism for individually transferring articles to be processed to a processing station, for example to a weighing station for weighing the article, the rotating scroll transfer mechanism being formed about its periphery with a groove. Processing of an article is carried out at various phases during manufacture on a production line, for example filling and subsequent weighing, or checkweighing, of an article such as a canister containing a liquid material is often carried out to ensure that the weight of the contents of the canister are within a predetermined range. One problem that arises with processing operations, such as weighing or checkweighing, is that when the canister is deposited at a processing station it takes time for the canister and, where appropriate, its contents to settle in order for an operation to be carried out or for an acceptably reliable determination of the properties of the canister, and if necessary of its contents, to be made. In general, the problem is dependent upon the speed at which the canister is deposited at the processing station and, where the canister contains a liquid material, the problem is additionally dependent on the manner in which the canister is conveyed and the consequent agitation of the contents of the canister. GB-A-1 271 085 describes a weighing apparatus in which a rotatable scroll device is used to transfer containers to and from a weighing device. Although an underweight container may be "topped-up", there is no disclosure of the problems associated with the need to allow the contents of the container to settle in order to obtain an acceptably reliable determination of the weight of the container to be made. It is an object of the present invention to transfer an article, such as a canister containing a liquid material, to a processing station, such as a weighing station, in a manner which minimises the settling time of the article at the processing station. According to the present invention there is provided an article transfer and processing assembly comprising a rotatable scroll device for individually transferring articles to be processed to an article processing station, the rotatable scroll device being formed about its periphery with a groove which is profiled so as to define a first groove portion for receiving an article to be transferred, a second groove portion communicating with the first groove portion for progressively increasing the transfer speed of the article to a predetermined speed, a third groove portion communicating with the second groove portion for conveying the article at the predetermined speed, and a fourth groove portion communicating with the third groove portion for permitting the article to decelerate onto the processing station under frictional forces, the maximum rate of deceleration being determined by the profile of the fourth groove portion. The assembly may include a conveyor for conveying articles to be processed to the rotatable scroll device. A guide may be provided relative to the conveyor for directing articles towards the first groove portion. The assembly may include a star wheel for removing processed articles from the processing station. Articles may be removed from the processing station to a conveyor. The conveyor for receiving processed articles may be the same as the conveyor for conveying articles to be processed. The scroll device may be rotatable by way of a drive shaft engaging with one end thereof. The processing station may comprise a weighing station. The assembly may include an axially extending generally horizontal support for supporting articles being transferred by the scroll device. The assembly may include an axially extending generally upright support for retaining articles being transferred within the groove of the scroll device. The first groove portion may have a zero pitch and progressively increasing depth. The second groove portion may have a progressively increasing pitch and constant depth. The third groove portion may have a constant pitch and constant depth. The fourth groove portion may have a progressively decreasing pitch and constant depth. The leading edge of the fourth groove portion, that is the edge nearest the processing station, may be removed over at least a part of the length thereof extending from the free end of the fourth groove portion towards the third groove portion. Additionally, where the leading edge of the fourth groove portion is removed over the entire length thereof, the leading edge of the third groove portion may be removed over at least a part of the length thereof. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of one embodiment of an article transfer and processing assembly according to the present invention in the form of an article transfer and weighing assembly; Figure 2 is an elevational view of one embodiment of a scroll device for use in the article transfer and weighing assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevational view of the scroll device of Figure 2 taken in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the scroll device shown in Figures 2 and 3 taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a graph of the groove depth against the number of turns for the scroll device shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4; and Figure 6 is a graph of the groove pitch against the number of turns for the scroll device shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. The article transfer and weighing assembly shown in the drawings comprises a conveyor 1, such as a belt or slat conveyor, for conveying articles (not shown) to be weighed to the assembly and for conveying weighed articles away from the assembly. Articles that may be weighed with the assembly according to the present invention include aluminium aerosol cans and vials made of plastics or glass. Positioned above the conveyor 1 is an article receiving guide which comprises two guide plates 3, 5 which will be described in more detail hereinafter. Positioned alongside the conveyor 1 and passing beneath the guide plate 3 is a skid plate 7 for the articles to be weighed. Extending from an end of the guide plate 5 in an upright manner along that side of the skid plate 7 adjacent to the conveyor belt 1 is a guide plate 11 to assist in guiding the articles along the skid plate 7. Articles within the article receiving guide are urged, by movement of the conveyor 1, towards a rotatable scroll device 13. As can be seen more clearly from Figures 2 to 4, the scroll device is formed with a groove 15 which extends initially in groove portion 15a in the peripheral direction of the device (i.e. with zero pitch) with a progressively increasing depth of groove. Subsequently, the groove is provided in groove portion 15b with an axial component at constant depth, the pitch of which groove portion increases progressively up to a predetermined value. Thereafter, the groove portion is provided with a groove portion 15c having a constant depth and a constant pitch. Finally, the groove is provided in groove portion 15d with an axial component, the pitch of which decreases progressively from the predetermined value to zero. Over at least a part of the groove portion 15d, and optionally over a part of the groove portion 15c, the leading edge 17 of the groove is removed. The scroll device 13 may be made of any suitable material, but we have found thermoplastics materials, such as acetal materials sold under the trade name DELRIN, can provide suitable properties for the scroll device combined with an adequate level of machinability. The height of the axis of the scroll device 13 relative to the skid plate 7 is such that the scroll device engages with the articles to be transferred in the region of the centre of mass thereof. The scroll device 13 is in practice in the form of a hollow cylinder rotatably supported at or towards one end thereof by way of a drive shaft 19, driven by means not shown, mounted in bearings 21 and 23. The scroll device is shown in more detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and the characteristics of the groove are set out in the graphs of Figures 5 and 6. As can be seen from Figures 2 to 6, the groove (groove portion 15a) has a zero pitch over the first half (0.5) turn with the depth of the groove increasing linearly throughout the length of the groove portion to a maximum depth of, say, 15 mm and to a width of, say, 28 mm. In groove portion 15b, the pitch increases progressively to a constant value over the next quarter (0.25) turn with the depth of the groove remaining constant. In groove portion 15c, the pitch remains constant for some one and three quarter (1.75) turns. In groove portion 15d, the pitch decreases progressively over the last half (0.5) turn, with the effective depth of the groove remaining constant. Clearly, the precise details of the groove can be varied without the requirement for any inventive activity. Thus the initial groove portion 15a could have a greater or lesser extent, the intermediate groove portion 15b could have a steeper or lesser gradient, or a greater or lesser extent, the groove portion 15c where the pitch is constant could be longer or shorter and could have a different pitch, and the final groove portion 15d could have a steeper or lesser gradient, or a greater or lesser extent. Additionally, the diameter of the scroll device can be increased or decreased if necessary. As can be seen from Figures 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the leading edge 17 of the groove 15 is removed in the groove portion 15d and in a part of the groove portion 15c. This is to allow the articles to slow of their own accord due to friction rather than to enforce a deceleration onto the articles, whilst at the same time determining the maximum rate of deceleration of the articles. Articles exiting the groove 15 of the scroll device 13 are deposited one at a time on a weigh plate 25 of a weighing station which is not shown in detail, but the construction and operation of which is well known to the skilled person. After a predetermined settling time, the weight of the article is determined and if the weight of the article is not within a predetermined range the article is flagged for subsequent removal. After weighing, the article is moved off the weigh plate 25 by a star wheel 27 and is transferred to the conveyor 1 for subsequent removal or further processing. Rotation of the star wheel 27 is coordinated with the rotation of the scroll device 13 by means (not shown) readily available to the skilled person in order to remove the article as soon as it has been weighed and in order that the star wheel, which may need to occupy the same space as that occupied from time to time by the scroll device, does not impact with the scroll device. In operation of the article transfer and weighing assembly shown in, and described with reference to, the drawings, a plurality of articles to be transferred and weighed are conveyed by the conveyor 1 to the two guide plates 3 and 5. Guide plate 3 prevents the articles falling off one side of the conveyor 1, while guide plate 5 is formed at one end thereof with an inclined portion to guide the articles towards the guide plate 3 and along a path between the guide plates 3 and 5. Towards the ends of the guide plates 3 and 5 remote from the inclined portion, the guide plates are curved so as to convey the articles in a direction towards the scroll device 13. The articles are urged one at a time, due to movement of the conveyor 1 and pressure from following articles, into the initial groove portion 15a such that the article moves towards the axis of the scroll device 13 and on to the skid plate 7. After the article has entered the groove portion 15a, it is accelerated along the skid plate 7, with the assistance of guide plate 11, by the groove portion 15b. Once the article has been accelerated, it is carried at substantially constant speed in groove portion 15c and this is believed to contribute to the settling of the article and, more especially, its contents. Finally, the article is allowed to decelerate in the groove portion 15d under its own frictional forces due to the progressive reduction in the pitch of the groove portion 15d and the removal of the leading edge of the groove 15. Should the article decelerate too quickly, the progressive decrease in the pitch of the groove ensures that a maximum rate of deceleration is not exceeded and that the article is transferred onto the weigh plate. The article therefore exits the groove 15 on to the weigh plate 25 in a relatively settled state and requires a relatively short time before the weight of the article can be determined. Once the article has been weighed, it is removed from the weigh plate 25 and onto the conveyor 1 by star wheel 27 so that the article can subsequently be removed from the production line or can proceed to further processing. We have found that the use of the scroll device 13 to transfer the articles to the weigh plate 25 can take longer to accomplish the transfer as compared with conventional means such as a star wheel. This is due to the time taken for the articles to decelerate under the influence of friction in the final groove portion 15d of the groove 15 where the pitch of the groove progressively decreases and where the leading edge 17 is removed so as to avoid forced deceleration. On the other hand, we have found that the time required for the article and its contents to settle once the article has been deposited on the weigh plate 25 are significantly reduced to the extent that the overall time to accomplish the transfer, allow for settling and determine the weight of the canister is less than with conventional means such as a star wheel. Thus the article transfer and assessing assembly according to the present invention permits a greater throughput of articles than conventional means.

Claims: An article transfer and processing assembly comprising a rotatable scroll device (13) for individually transferring articles to be processed to an article processing station (25), the rotatable scroll device being formed about its periphery with a groove (15), characterised in that the groove (15) is profiled so as to define a first groove portion (15a) for receiving an article to be transferred, a second groove portion (15b) communicating with the first groove portion for progressively increasing the transfer speed of the article to a predetermined speed, a third groove portion (15c) communicating with the second groove portion for conveying the article at the predetermined speed, and a fourth groove portion (15d) communicating with the third groove portion for permitting the article to decelerate onto the processing station (25) under frictional forces, the maximum rate of deceleration being determined by the profile of the fourth groove portion (15d). An assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the assembly includes a conveyor (1) for conveying articles to be processed to the rotatable scroll device (15). An assembly as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that a guide (5) is provided relative to the conveyor (1) for directing articles towards the first groove portion (15a). An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the assembly includes a star wheel (27) for removing processed articles from the processing station (25). An assembly as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that articles are removed from the processing station (25) to a conveyor. An assembly as claimed in claim 5 when dependent on claim 2, characterised in that the conveyor (1) for receiving processed articles is the same as the conveyor (1) for conveying articles to be processed. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the scroll device (13) is rotatable by way of a drive shaft (19) engaging with one end thereof. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the processing station (25) comprises a weighing station. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that an axially extending generally horizontal support (7) is provided for supporting articles being transferred by the scroll device (13). An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that an axially extending generally upright support (11) is provided for retaining articles being transferred within the groove (15) of the scroll device (13). An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the first groove portion (15a) has a zero pitch and progressively increasing depth. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second groove portion (15b) has a progressively increasing pitch and constant depth. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the third groove portion (15c) has a constant pitch and constant depth. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the fourth groove portion (15d) has a progressively decreasing pitch and constant depth. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the leading edge (17) of the fourth groove portion (15d), that is the edge nearest the processing station (25), is removed over at least a part of the length thereof extending from the free end of the fourth groove portion towards the third groove portion (15c). An assembly as claimed in claim 15, characterised in that, where the leading edge (17) of the fourth groove portion (15d) is removed over the entire length thereof, the leading edge (17) of the third groove portion (15c) is removed over at least a part of the length thereof.

Inventors: ALLAN JAMES D C, ALLAN, JAMES D.C.
Applicants: GRASEBY PRODUCT MONITORING LIM, GRASEBY PRODUCT MONITORING LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65G33
IPC codes: G01G15, B65G33